Novak Djokovic schedule: When is world No. 1 playing next after Australian Open? Will he play Indian Wells and Dubai?

Novak Djokovic is likely still mulling over an unfamiliar feeling: defeat at the Australian Open.

But there are still big goals ahead for Djokovic this season, including three more majors, the Olympics, and an expected return to two tournaments he hasn’t played in five years…

Djokovic suggested after exiting the Australian Open that he will take some time to think about his schedule.

“I made a commitment to myself that I will give it my all this year, with the priority being Slams and the Olympics. We’ll see whether something will change, in this stage of my life and my career some surprising decisions are maybe more expected compared to 20 years ago.”

In February there are four ATP 500 events; in Rotterdam (February 12), Rio de Janeiro (February 19), and Dubai and Acapulco (both February 26).

Djokovic has played Dubai in three of the last four seasons, including the last two in a row, but might not be back in 2024.

Djokovic’s official website says he will be returning to action after the Australian Open in March.

Djokovic has not played Indian Wells – regarded as one of the biggest tournaments outside the Grand Slams – since 2019, having missed the ATP 1000 event for the last few years due to being unable to travel to the USA because he is unvaccinated for Covid-19.

However, the changing of the entry rules in 2023 meant Djokovic was back in the USA last summer, and he will now be able to return to Indian Wells and the Miami Open, which follows.

Djokovic is a five-time champion at Indian Wells, most recently winning the title in 2016.

He also hasn’t played Miami, where he is a six-time winner, since 2019.

After Indian Wells and the Miami Open, Djokovic will likely start his clay season at the Monte-Carlo Masters, which is the only Masters event he has not won more than twice.

Djokovic is into his 410th week as world No. 1, and although he didn’t defend his Australian Open title, he looks good to stay at the top for a while longer.

Djokovic only holds a 600-point lead over world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, but has very few points to defend until the French Open.

The only points he defends before the start of April are 180 from Dubai, then across the clay season his total is 315.

If Djokovic plays Indian Wells and the Miami Open he could extend his lead at the top of the rankings, especially with Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev all having to defend points.

Alcaraz is defending 1,910 points over the next two months, Medvedev 2,850 points, and Sinner 1,510 points.

Djokovic already holds the record for most weeks as world No. 1, leading now by 100 weeks from second-placed Roger Federer.